Module 5: Standard Maritime Orders

Reference:
English for Maritime Students
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:
a. State at least five standard wheel orders
b. State at least five standard engine orders
c. State and correctly pronounce the standard marine phrases for selected wheel
and engine orders
A.

Standard Wheel Orders

The art of steering a ship can be gained by practice. The ships head, rudder
and steering wheel all turn the same way, that is, to turn the ship to starboard one
must turn the wheel to starboard. The angle of turn given to the rudder is shown in
degrees on the helm indicator situated forward of the wheel.
All orders received by the helmsman are to be repeated twice; once when the
order is received and again when the order has been carried out. This is to ensure
that the helmsman has both understood and carried out the orders correctly.
Here are some standard wheel orders taken from the Standard Marine
Communication Phrases (SMCP) list:
Order
Midships

Meaning
Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position

Port five
Port ten
Port fifteen
Port twenty
Port twenty-five
Hard-a-port
Starboard five
Starboard ten
Starboard fifteen
Starboard twenty
Starboard twenty-five
Hard-a-starboard
Ease to five

5 of port rudder to be held.

10 of port rudder to be held.
15 of port rudder to be held.
20 of port rudder to be held.
25 of port rudder to be held.
Rudder to be held fully over to port.
5 of starboard rudder to be held.
10 of starboard rudder to be held.
15 of starboard rudder to be held.
20 of starboard rudder to be held.
25 of starboard rudder to be held.
Rudder to be held fully over to starboard.
Reduce amount of rudder to 5 and hold.

Ease to ten
Ease to fifteen
Ease to twenty
Steady
Steady as she goes

Reduce amount of rudder to 10 and hold.

Reduce amount of rudder to 15 and hold.
Reduce Amount of rudder to 20 and hold.
Reduce swing as rapidly as possible.
Steer a steady course on the compass heading
indicated at the time of the order. The
helmsman is to repeat the order and call out
the compass heading on receiving the order.
When the ship is stead on that heading, the
helmsman is to call out: Stead

a. When the officer of the watch requires a course to be steered by

compass, the direction in which he wants the wheel turned should be
stated followed by each numeral being said separately, including zero.
Order
Port, steer one eight two
Starboard, steer zero eight
two
Port, steer three zero five

Course to be
steered
182
082
305

b. On receipt of the order to steer, for example, 182, the helmsman

should repeat it and bring the ship round steadily to the course ordered.
When the ship is steady on the course ordered, the helmsman is to call
out:
Steady on one eight two
The person giving the order should acknowledge the helmsmans call out.
If it is desired to steer on a selected mark the helmsman should be ordered
to:
Steer onbuoy(mark)(beacon)
out:

The helmsman should repeat the order and when steady on the mark call
Steady onbuoy(mark)(beacon)

The person giving the order should acknowledge the helmsmans call out.

B. Standard Engine Orders

Any engine order given should be repeated by the person operating the bridge
telegraph/s and the officers of the watch should ensure that the order is carried out
correctly and right away.
Listed below are some standard engine orders from the SCMP manual.
Order
Full ahead
Half ahead
Slow ahead
Dead slow ahead
Stop engine/s
Dead slow astern
Slow astern
Half astern
Full astern
Emergency full
ahead/astern
Stand by engine
Finished with engines

Meaning
Maximum manoeuvring engine revolutions for ahead
propulsion.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
Revolution as indicated in ships orders.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
No engine revolutions.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
Revolutions as indicated in ships orders.
Engine-room personnel fully ready to manoeuvre and
bridge manned with personnel to relay engine orders.
Movement of engineer/s no longer required.

Examples:
Order
Bow thrust full/half to port
Bow thrust full/half to
starboard
Stern thrust full/half to port
Stern thrust full/half to
starboard
Bow/stern thrust stop

Meaning
Ships head to move to port with power as specified.
Ships head to move to starboard with power as
specified.
Ships stern to move to port with power as specified.
Ships stern to move to starboard with power as
specified.
No bow/stern thrust revolutions.

For vessels with variable pitch propellers, the meaning of the order would
include the combination of pitch and revolutions as indicated in ships orders.

Exercise:
State the standard marine phrases for the following wheel and engine orders.
Write your answer on the blank below each number.
1. Rudder to be held fully over the port.
____________________________________________________________
2. 15 of port rudder to be held.
____________________________________________________________
3. Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position.
____________________________________________________________
4. 10 of starboard rudder to be held.
____________________________________________________________
5. Rudder to be held fully over to the starboard.
____________________________________________________________
6. Reduce amount of rudder to 5 and hold.
____________________________________________________________
7. Reduce swing as rapidly as possible.
____________________________________________________________
8. 25 of starboard rudder to be held.
____________________________________________________________
9. No engine revolution.
____________________________________________________________
10. Engine-room personnel fully ready to manoeuvre and bridge manned with
personnel to relay engine orders.
____________________________________________________________
11. Movement of engine/s no longer required.

____________________________________________________________
12. Ships head to move to port with power as specified.
____________________________________________________________
13. No bow/stern thrust revolutions.
____________________________________________________________
14. Ships head to move to starboard with power as specified.
____________________________________________________________
15. Ships stern to move to starboard with power as specified.
____________________________________________________________

Module 6: Proper Phrases and the Phonetic Numbers and Alphabet

Reference:
English for Maritime Students
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:
a. correctly pronounce words and phrases from the SMCP
b. correctly use phrases from the SMCP (Standard Marine Communication
Phrases)
c. correctly pronounce the phonetic alphabet and the phonetic numbers
Radiotelephone or radiophone communication take place from ship to ship,
ship to shore, land station to land station, mobile station to mobile station, aircraft
station to land station, aircraft station to aircraft station, etc.
Generally, communication via radiotelephone encounters a lot of difficulties in
reception because varied factors such as static, fading and interference due to noises
picked up inside the receiving room or by the transmitter.
To improve intelligibility and accuracy of the message in the receiving end,
phonetic alphabet and phonetic numbers are used in transmitting messages.
A. The International Phonetic Alphabet
Letter

Code Word

Letter

Code Word

Letter

Code Word

Alpha

Juliet

Sierra

Bravo

Kilo

Tango

Charlie

Lima

Uniform

Delta

Mike

Victory

Echo

November

Whisky

Foxtrot

Oscar

X-ray

Golf

Papa

Yankee

Hotel

Quebec

Zulu

India

Romeo

B. The Phonetic Numbers

Figure
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Full Stop
Decimal Point

Code Word
Nadazero
Unaone
Bissotwo
Terrathree
Kartefour
Pentafive
Soxisix
Setteseven
Oktoeight
Novenine
Stop
Decimal

C. Selected Phrases from the SMCP

In radiotelephone communication messages can sometimes be misconstrued
when proper phrases are not used. In the advent of modern communication, a new
generation of radio slang has been produced and is becoming common. Although they
are easily understood by a native speaker, these words and phrases can be easily
misunderstood
by
a
non-native
speaker.
A. Responses
1. When the response to a question is in the affirmative, say Yes.
2. When the response to a question is in the negative, say No.
3. When the information is not immediate available but soon will be, say Stand
by.
4. When the required information cannot be obtained, say No information.
5. When a message has not been properly heard, say Say again.
6. When a message is not understood, say Message not understood.
Sometimes, incorrect terms are used in radio communication. Here are some
examples:
1. Affirmative,
Roger,
Wilco,
Right,
instead
of
Yes
2. Negative,
No
way,
instead
of
No.
3. Wait, Wait one (meaning wait one minute), or Hang on, instead of Stand by
4. Dont
know
instead
of
No
information
5. Repeat
instead
of
Say
again
B.Urgent
1. Mayday used to prefix distress
Example:

Messages

Mayday. Mayday. This is Cassandra. I need help, I am sinking.

2. Pan used to prefix urgency
Example:
Pan. Pan. This is Cassandra. I require medical assistance.
3. Securite used to prefix safety signals
Example:
Securite. Securite. Floating wreckage in position
4. Attention may be used at the beginning of an important message
Example:
Attention. Attention all ships. A warning of storms was issued at
1400 hours starting
EXERCISES
A. Responses

you.

Give the correct responses to the following statements:

1. Pilot station. This is Cassandra. Is it clear for me to enter traffic lane?
2. Pilot station. This is Cassandra. May I proceed?
3. What is your draught?
4. Princess . This is Cassandra. Is there any other traffic?
5. Princess you are steering a dangerous course. There is fishing gear ahead of
6. Princess. Vessel ahead of you is on opposite course.

B. Urgent Messages
Use

ship
fire

the

correct

prefix

and

state

the

correct

message.
1. Mayday
a. Your ship is in distress. You are in position 38 North and 02 East. Your
is
on
fire
and
you
have
a
dangerous
cargo
on
board.
b. Your ship is in distress. You have been in a collision and you need help.
c. Your ship is in distress. You are in position 15 South, 150 East. You are on
in
the
accommodation.
2. Pan

a. You have lost a man overboard in position 80 South and 32 East. You
require help with search and rescue from all ships in the area.
b. A crewman is seriously injured, and you require medical assistance.
3. Securite
a. You sight a drifting mine 2 miles 330 from St. Nicholas Point. Warn other
ships.

b. Newharbour radio beacon service has been discontinued. Warn other ships.
c. Tropical storm Sally is reported in position 15 North, 75 West. What would
the radio station issuing the warning say?

Module 8: Idiomatic Expressions and the Weather

References: English For Maritime Students; www.google.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I.

OBJECTIVES
1. Make the students be familiar with more terms used during sea travel;
2. Make the students use such terms correctly;
II.

DISCUSSION
Aside from using the International Phonetic Alphabet and Numbers in
communication, the Maritime industry also has specialized terms relating to sea
conditions. Here we refer to the Beaufort Wind Scale in conversing about the sea
conditions.

A. THE BEAUFORT WIND SCALE

Beaufort
Scale
Number

Description and
limit of wind
speed in knots
Calm less than 1

Light Air 1 - 3

Light Breeze 4 - 6

Sea criterion
Sea like mirror
Ripples with the appearance of scales are
formed but without foam crests.
Small wavelets, still short but more
pronounced, crests have a glassy appearance
and do not break.

Gentle Breeze 7 10

Moderate Breeze
11 - 16

Fresh Breeze 17
21

Strong Breeze 22 27

Near Gale 28 - 33

Gale 36 - 40

Strong Gale 41 - 47

10

Storm 48 - 55

11

Violent Storm 56 63

12

Hurricane 64 - 71

Large wavelets. Crests begin to break. Foam

of glassy appearance. Perhaps scattered white
horses.
Small waves, becoming longer, fairly frequent
white horses.
Moderate waves, taking a more pronounced
long form; many white horses are formed.
(Chance of some spray.)
Large waves begin to form; the white foam
crests are more extensive everywhere
(probably some spray).
Sea heaps up and white foam from breaking
waves begins to be blown in streaks along the
direction of the wind. (Spindrift begins to be
seen).
Moderately high waves of greater length;
edges of crests break into spindrift. The foam
is blown in well-marked streaks along the
direction of the wind.
High waves. Dense streaks of foam along the
direction of the wind. Sea begins to roll. Spray
may affect visibility.
Very high waves with long overhanging crests.
The resulting foam in great patches is blown in
dense white streaks along the direction of the
wind. On the whole surface of the sea takes a
white appearance. The rolling of the sea
becomes heavy and shocklike. Visibility
affected.
Exceptionally high waves. (Small and mediumsize ships might be for a time lost to view
behind the waves.) the sea is completely
covered with long white patches of foam lying
along the direction of the wind. Everywhere
the edges of the wave crests are blown into
froth. Visibility affected.
The air is filled with foam and spray. Sea
completely white with driving spray; visibility
very seriously affected.

B. Some Idiomatic Expressions That Can Be Used In Maritime Service

1. get going start; go into action; make haste
Example:
Better get going if you dont want to miss the boat.

2. square peg in a round hole one unsuited for his occupation or environment
Example:
A sailor who spends more time on land than on the sea is like a square peg in a round
hole.
3. make a living earn enough to live decently; sustain oneself economically
Example:
Being a high-ranking officer in the Navy gives one a huge responsibility but is also a
good way to make a living.
4. over-all comprehensive
Example:
The captain has an over-all appraisal of the ships condition.
5. rain cats and dogs to rain heavily
Example:
Visibility is difficult when it rains cats and dogs.
6. bed of roses a condition of ease and luxury
Example:
Life in the marine service isnt like a bed of roses.
7. birds of a feather persons with the same characteristics and tendencies
Example:
My sisters and me are birds of a feather, we all like to prowl on the beach.
8. hold water be valid
Example:
What he explained about the incident all hold water.
9. get a raise obtain an increase in salary
Example:
The management promised that all of us will get a raise at the end of the year.
10. see one off - go to say goodbye to someone at an airport, a railway station, or at the
wharf
Example:
He told me he will be late for the meeting because he has to see one off.
11. all set all ready
Example:
The family is all set for the much anticipated voyage to the Caribbean.
12. all ears very attentive
Example:

The seafarers were all ears to the Captain when he gave his final instructions before
the voyage.
13. under lock and key locked safely; very secure
Example:
All the doors and port holes should be under lock and key before we embark on this
voyage.
14. big shot an important person
Example:
We heard that a big shot is invited to grace the launching of the newest ship in the
line.
15. come to terms to reach an agreement
Example:
The management and the striking crew finally came to terms and the ships voyage
will resume in due time.
16. blacklist a list of people considered undesirable
Example:
The union leader and some of his members are in the blacklist of the management for
leading the recently concluded strike.
17. break an opportunity to succeed
Example:
The rest of the striking crew was given a break by the management after they
promised not to launch another strike in the future.
18. tread the middle aisle to get married
Example:
The captain of the ship will file a leave of absence after he treads the middle aisle
this coming June.
19. knock off stop; leave work
Example:
The crew will knock off tonight for the Captains birthday party.
20. play favorites show partiality
Example:
It is unwise for a Ship Captain to play favorites in his crews rift.
III.
A.
1.
2.
3.

EXERCISES
Give the scale number and description of the sea when:
there is a strong breeze
there is light air
there is gentle breeze

4. there is a storm
5. there is a violent storm
6. there is a hurricane
7. there is a gale
8. there is a moderate breeze
9. there is light breeze
10. there is a strong gale
B. Make an interpretative reading of the poem below:
Sea-Fever
(John Masefield)
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the whales kick and the winds song and the white sails shaking,
And the gray mist on the seas face and a gay dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of a running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gulls way and the whales way where the winds like a whetted
knife,
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long tricks over.

Module 7: Safety at Sea

References: English for Maritime Students; www.google.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I.

II.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. correctly identify emergency situations at sea
b. correctly use message markers
c. make an emergency drill on given situations
DISCUSSION

English has been the universal language for all types of transport the world over.
But problems do arise when it comes to understanding the language for native nonspeakers. The shipping industry is not an exemption to this problem. Almost in every
ship, it is often that only the captain and/or one of his officers are fluent in the
English language. Thus, a universal coding and decoding system is needed to be
applied on different situations.
Legible communication is crucial in every ships voyage as it entails the safety of
both the passengers and crew on board.
"In times of crisis, it can be a life-saver, that all too many seamen are urgently in
need of," says Trenkner, who is based in the German Baltic Sea port of Warnemuende

A. Emergencies at Sea
a. The following are the major types of emergencies on board:
Collisions
Stranding
Grounding
Main Engine
Failure
Fire and/or
Explosion
Foundering

Vessel coming into destructive contact, are said to be in

collision.
The condition of a vessel that has run on a strand or a
beach.
The condition when a vessel touches the bottom.
Breakdown in operation of the main engine.
These can be caused by failure or faulty operation of
equipment, by self-ignition caused by carelessness with
open fire or smoking in a non-smoking area.
Vessel is in danger of sinking.

b. The minor types are:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Flooding
Listing
Capsizing
Man overboard
Gas leakage
Oil spill
Electrical accident
Accident in an enclosed place

B. Emergency Response Procedures

a. Instructions to follow during emergency situations are:

1. Immediately upon boarding the vessel, each person should familiarize himself with his
assigned location in the event of an emergency.
2. All crew members should be thoroughly familiar with the duties they are assigned to
perform in the event of an emergency.
3. All persons should participate in emergency drills and should be properly dressed
including a properly donned life preserver or exposure suit.
4. In all passenger-carrying vessels, the Steward Department shall be responsible for
warning passengers, seeing that passengers are properly dressed and have correctly
donned their life preservers or exposure suits, assembling and directing passenger
movement and ensuring that a supply of blankets be taken to the lifeboats.
5. The proper chain of command is indicated by the sequential numbers assigned to each
department. Should a key person become disabled the next senior member of that
department must take over the disabled persons place.
6. The Chief Mate should be responsible for the maintenance and readiness of life saving
and fire fighting appliances and equipment above the main deck. The First Assistant
Engineer must be responsible for the maintenance and readiness of all lifesaving and
firefighting appliances and equipment on the main deck and below.
b. Response procedures to specific emergency situations are as follows:
Fire or
Explosion

Collision

Sinking or
Listing

Grounding

a. Barricade the scene and keep passengers away from it and

from disaster team working and fighting the fire
b. Dont open the hot doors. All automatic door shutters will
activate.
a. Dont attempt to rush outside as the impact might throw you
out or bump on sailings and bulkheads.
b. Stay in your cabin and wait for instructions from the
wheelhouse coming out in your loudspeaker or loud hailer in the
corridor.
a. Once trapped inside, call for help.
b. Dont open portholes as water will enter through, filling up your
room and downing you.
c. Wear lifejacket.
d. Proceed to lifeboat station with care.
e. Board lifeboat upon instruction.
f. Stay calm and watch your step.
g. Dont jump or push other people.
a. Hold on to railings or on secured tables.
b. Brace yourself for any explosion that might follow when ship
hits bottom.

Abandon Ship

Emergency of
unknown
nature

c. Dont rush outside wait for instructions.

a. Upon hearing the announcement through loud hailer to abandon
ship, listen carefully to instructions for lifeboat assignments of
passengers by station bill notice.
b. Follow markings for passenger exit points. These marks are
illuminated and have light indicators.
c. When the main electrical power goes out, the emergency
electrical source will automatically activate to give lights along the
corridors and exit points. Always exit up.
d. Wear your lifejacket.
e. Embark on lifeboats in an orderly manner. All
persons/passengers occupying cabins at the portside are assigned
to embark on lifeboats at the portside. Those occupying cabins at
the starboard side should embark on lifeboats at the starboard
side.
a. Upon hearing emergency alarms, stay calm. Dont panic.
b. Wait for instructions.
c. Follow instructions carefully.

There should always be a control team on board to response to any of these

types of emergencies that would consist of:
1. Medical team
- Provides first aid kit, blanket, warm water, stretchers and prepares to assist injured
persons.
2. Disaster Brigade Team
- Assesses the situation, draws action plan, musters personnel and displays brigade
members.
3. Casualty Reporting Team
- Responsible for head counts, burial at sea, preservation of expired bodies and
submission of marine protest to port authorities.
C. Message Markers
To ensure that messages transmitted and received are accurate, additional
measures are taken like the use of message markers. This helps a lot in ensuring the
safety of the passengers and crew on board especially on emergencies.
External communication messages may be preceded by the following message
markers:

ER

MATION

indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to influence
the recipient/s by a recommendation.
Example:
ADVICE: Keep your present course.
indicates that the following message is the reply to a previous question
Example:
ANSWER: My position is degrees 36 minutes north 64 degrees 31 minutes west.
indicates that the following message is restricted to observed facts
Example:
INFORMATION: The pilot service is suspended.

UCTION

indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to influence
the recipient/s by regulation
Example:
INSTRUCTION: Reduce speed before waypoint number three.

TION

indicates that the following message informs others about immediate navigational
actions intended to be taken
Example:
INTENTION: I intend to reduce speed.

ION

indicates that the following message is of interrogative character

Example:
QUESTION: What is your position?

ST

indicates that the contents of the following message are asking for action from others
with respect to the ship
Example:
REQUEST: Please deliver the stores before time: one four three zero local.

NG

indicates that the following message informs other specific participants about dangers
Example:
WARNING: The icebreaker is aground.
D. Survival At Sea
In an uneventful occurrence of a disaster, every passenger and crew should be
equipped and ready. Survival at sea is a difficult task to carry more so if one is devoid
of the necessities. If the situation requires abandoning the ship and time allows,
everyone should be provided additional safety items as follows:
a. Emergency transmitter, emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
b. Search and Rescue Radar Transponder (SART)

c.
d.
e.
f.

Additional water supplies and food

Spare blankets
Lifebelts and additional lifejackets
Medical supplies
Once embarked on the survival craft, everyone must be seated and strapped
into position. Everybody must be alert and vigilant, and unless one has something
significant and relevant to share, must keep quiet to avoid commotion. A survival
craft should have the following items and equipment:

a. Rescue line one buoyant orange rescue quoit, attached to 100 feet of buoyant
orange line which is stored in a convenient place and ready for immediate use.
b. Knife rafts which are to accommodate not more than 12 persons are supplied with
one knife, stowed in a convenient place and ready for immediate use. Raft fits to
accommodate 13 or more persons are supplied with two knives.
c. Bailer this may be made of plastic and rigid material and is collapsible. One bailer
will be supplied in rafts of up to 12 persons, and two bailers in rafts for 13 or more
persons.
d. Sponges two sponges, which are sometimes compressed and look like pieces of
hardboard, however, on soaking they become good sponges. Sponges are supplied for
mopping up purposes.
e. Sea anchor two sea anchors, one permanently attached to the raft, stowed near the
opening and ready for immediate use, another spare one stowed in the kit. Sea
anchors are made of nylon cloth, look somewhat like parachutes, and are provided
with a tow line of 30 feet long and a swivel. Tripping lines are not provided. When
using two sea anchors, stream them on different lengths of line to avoid fouling.
f.

Repair Outfit comprising of a number of composition plugs, which are used

temporarily to plug small tears and rubber patching and solutions, so that the raft
may be repaired in the same manner as the inner tube of a tire. Full instructions are
contained in the outfit. (Repair outfits are not required to be included in rigid rafts).
When plugging a leak, use the smallest suitable plug and do not screw it in too tightly
for it may tear the fabric.

g. Plump or Bellows three safety tin openers for use in opening the water tins.
h. First Aid Outfit includes Omnopon, and a set of instructions in a waterproof case.
i. Drinking Vessel rustproof and graduated in , 1 and 2 ozs.
j. Electric Torch waterproof and suitable for signaling, complete with one spare set of
batteries and a spare bulb, in waterproof container.

k. Daylight Signaling Mirror as required in a lifeboat.

l. Paddles two buoyant paddles.
m. Pyrotechnics two parachute distress rocket signals, and six handheld distress flares,
similar to those contained to be sufficiently visible from the air without additional
smoke signals.
n. Fishing Lines and Six Hooks
o. Rescue Signal Table
p. Instruction Manual on How To Survive printed in English
q. Anti-seasickness Tablets six per person the raft is deemed to accommodate.
r. Radio Equipment requirements for life rafts are the same for lifeboats per 1988
Amendments to SOLAS.
s. Heliograph
t. Fishing tackle
u. Food and water rations
v. Thermal protective aid

III.

EXERCISES
A. Write the suitable message marker on the blank before each sentence:
1. _______________
2. _______________
3. _______________
4. _______________
5. _______________
6. _______________
7. _______________
8. _______________
9. _______________
10. ______________

:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

Proceed to the nearest safe anchorage.

The visibility is very poor.
What is the depth in the other fairway?
Please permit me to enter the restricted zone.
Stop immediately.
The ship ahead of you is not under command.
I do not intend to sail today.
Keep clear for five minutes.
What is my berth number?
Please arrange the documents before I arrive.

B. Circle the word or expression that best fits the type of obligation expressed in the
sentence:
1. All regulations concerning the ships routine (could, may, will) be observed at all
times.
2. Passengers (should, may, could) be taught how to act in cases of emergencies.
3. You (must, will, may) inform the officer if you cannot attend the meeting.
4. The doctor (may, could, ought to) treat the casualties.
5. The work (may, should, will) be finished by 1500 hours.
6. You (had better, should, would) not touch the electric wire.
7. Tools (may, would, should) not be left lying about.
8. You (are to, can, may) answer all questions.
9. Doors (must, may, could) be kept closed.
10. You (had better, are to, would) see the doctor before its too late.

Module 9: Shipboard Communication

References: English For Maritime Students; www.google.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------I.

II.

OBJECTIVES
1. to explain the importance of the English oral and written communication;
2. to identify the different forms and tools in communicating;
3. to apply the basic functions of communication
DISCUSSION

Communication is necessary in the shipping industry, be it oral or written.

Although a lot of other languages are spoken aboard seafaring vessels, English has
been
declared as the universal second language and has been practiced in ages.
A.
a.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Oral Communication
Suggestions on how to speak good English:
Associate with educated people where native tongue is English
Listened to trained English speakers on radio, television and other broadcast media
Watch English movies and listen carefully to the dialogues
Read aloud ten to twenty times a day, choosing material on your subject of interest
Take part in plays or recitation contests to enhance your speaking skill
Have your speech recorded and have it criticized for pronunciation errors

B. Written Communication
Maritime reports can be presented in memorandum or any ordinary business
letter. Most common maritime reports are as follows:
a.
1.
2.
3.
4.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
5.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
6.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Deck Department
Notice of Readiness
Marine Protest
Damage Report
Voyage (Charter Party) Note of Protest
Damage to Cargo
Delay Because of Bad Weather
Demurrage Claim
Delay in Port
Pilferage
Short Loading
Accident Report
Fatal Injury
Serious Injury
Man Overboard
Medical Care
Incident Report
Sighting of Vessel Not in Command
Sighting of Floating Hazards to Navigation
Fire on Board
Piracy

b.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Engine Department
Engine Damage Report
Monthly Engine Performance Report
Monthly Consumption Report
Main Engine Running Hours
Auxiliary Engine Running Hours
Engine Accident Report

i. Injuries by Accident
ii. Injuries Inflicted by Other Persons
7. Engine Incident Report
i. Fire in the Engine Report
ii. Fuel Contamination
C. Organizational Communication
Communication in the shipping industry has two basic functions:
1. to give and receive directions; and
2. to give and receive information
There are two structures that make up the communication channel the formal
and the informal structures. The formal structure usually follows the same lines and
patterns of an organizational chart while informal communication, often referred to
as grapevine, is an unstructured communication channel, where lines and routes
change very fast.
Formal and informal communication structures have three channels and these
are the upward, downward and horizontal channels.
a. Upward Communication
- communication from support and operational level to management or superiors
- gives management feedback or information needed for planning, decision-making and
controlling;
- gives the support and operational level an opportunity to offer valuable ideas to
management;
- gives the management an idea if directives or policies are understood or accepted by
those below;
- gives the personnel relief from emotional pressures and tensions
- common forms are as follows:
o informal discussions
o reports
o attitude surveys
o grievance procedure
o counseling
o exit interviews
o formal meetings
o suggestion system
o employee publications, unions, open-door policy
o grapevine
b.
-

Downward Communication
communication from management or superiors to support and operational level
increases seafarers awareness;
influences seafarers opinions

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

stimulates seafarers sense of belongingness

common forms are as follows:
directives and orders
small group meetings
company publications
supervisory meetings
mass meetings
bulletin boards
public address system
posters
memoranda
pamphlets
annual reports
audio-visual presentations
reading rooms
employee manuals

c. Horizontal Communication
- intra-company communication that takes place among or between sections, divisions
or departments of the same level
- aimed at keeping people aware of activities in a related department, thus controlling
unnecessary duplication of work, needless expenses, and needless exertion of time
and effort
- also called lateral communication
- most popular tools used are:
o meetings
o conferences
o telephones
o intercoms
o socials
An ideal management-employee communication manifests three conditions:
1. the channels must extend far enough to reach all employees;
2. all communications must be official;
3. channels of communication should follow the established lines of authority
III.

EXERCISES
Answer the following questions briefly:
1. What are the three channels of formal communication in an organization?
2. Give five tools or procedures in upward communication.
3. State the importance of oral communication in English to Filipino seafarers employed
on board foreign-going vessels.
4. Why should Filipino seamen maintain and improve their proven ability to use the
English language in written communication.

5. Enumerate five common reports from the Deck Department and five from the Engine
Department.
6. State three issues or problems on board that can be solved through upward
communication.

Module 10: Irregular Verbs

References: English For Maritime Students; www.google.com;
owl.english.purdue.edu; www.wikipedia.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I.

II.

OBJECTIVES
1. make the students identify irregular verbs;
2. make the students know and understand the simple past and past participial forms of
the irregular verbs;
3. make the students construct sentences using the irregular verbs

DISCUSSION
A verb is often defined as a word which shows action or state of being. The verb is
the heart of a sentence - every sentence must have a verb. Recognizing the verb is
often the most important step in understanding the meaning of a sentence. The
word be is different from other verbs in many ways but can still be thought of as
a verb.
In English, regular verbs consist of three main parts: the root form (present), the
(simple) past, and the past participle. Regular verbs have an -ed ending added to the
root verb for both the simple past and past participle. Irregular verbs do not follow
this pattern, and instead take on an alternative pattern.
Unlike most of the other parts of speech, verbs change their form. Sometimes
endings are added (learn - learned) and sometimes the word itself becomes different
(teach-taught). Verbs that form the past tense by adding -d or -ed are called regular
verbs. Some of the most common verbs do not form their past tense by ending in d
or ed. They are called irregular verbs.

Principal Parts of Some Irregular Verbs

PRESENT
is
become
begin

PAST
was
became
began

PAST PARTICIPLE
been
become
begun

bid (to tell)

bid (to offer)
bite
blow
break
bring
buy
catch
choose
come
do
drag
draw
drink
drive
eat
fall
fight
flee
fly
forget
freeze
get
give
go
grow
hang (to put to death)
hang
hide
know
lay
leave
lend
lie
pay
ride
ring
rise
run
see
set
shake

bade
bid
bit
blew
broke
brought
bought
caught
chose
came
did
dragged
drew
drank
drove
ate
fell
fought
fled
flew
forgot
froze
got
gave
went
grew
hanged
hung
hid
knew
laid
left
lent
lay
paid
rode
rang
rose
ran
saw
set
shook

bidden
bid
bitten
blown
broken
brought
bought
caught
chosen
come
done
dragged
drawn
drunk
driven
eaten
fallen
fought
fled
flown
forgotten
frozen
got or gotten
given
gone
grown
hanged
hung
hidden
known
laid
left
lent
lain
paid
ridden
rung
risen
run
seen
set
shaken

In contrast to regular verbs, irregular verbs are those verbs that fall outside the
standard patterns of conjugation in the languages in which they occur. The idea of an
irregular verb is important in second language acquisition, where the verb paradigms
of a foreign language are learned systematically, and exceptions listed and carefully
noted.
In linguistic analysis, the concept of an irregular verb is most likely to be used
in psycholinguistics, and in first-language acquisition studies, where the aim is to
establish how the human brain processes its native language. Historical linguists rarely
use the category irregular verb. Since most irregularities can be explained historically,
these verbs are only irregular when viewed synchronically, not when seen in their
historical context.
When languages are being compared informally, one of the few quantitative
statistics which are sometimes cited is the number of irregular verbs.

The word be - the most irregular and also most common verb in English - has
different forms for each person and even for the simple past tense. The forms of the
word be are given in the chart below:

Number
Singular

Plural

Person

Present

Past

Future

1st (I)

am

was

Will be

2nd (you)

are

were

Will be

3rd (he, she, it)

is

was

Will be

1st (we)

are

were

Will be

2nd (you)

are

were

Will be

are

were

Will be

rd

3 (they)

III.

EXERCISES
A. Conjugate the following verbs:

INFINITIVE
alight
arise
alert
be
beech
beat
can
cast
catch
deal
dig
do
embark
fall
feed
geld
give
gnaw
hang
heave
hew
keep
kneel
knit
lay
lean
lose
make
mean
mow
pay
plead
prove
quit
read
run
saw
shake
shear
teach
telecast
thrust
understand

SIMPLE PAST

PAST PARTICIPLE

weave
wring

B. Write 10 sentences using irregular verbs in the infinitive, simple past and past
participial forms.

Glossary
Reference: Terms and Phrases from the SMCP Glossary, English for Maritime Students
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abandon vessel
Adrift
Assembly station

Backing (of wind)

Beach (to)
Berth
Blast
Blind sector
Boarding arrangements
Boarding speed
Briefing
Capsizing
Cardinal buoy
Casualty

To evacuate a vessel from crew and passengers following a

distress
Floating, not controlled, without a clearly determinable
direction
Place on deck, in mess rooms, etc., assigned to crew and
passengers where they have to meet according to the
muster list when the corresponding alarm is released or
announcement made
When a wind blows round anticlockwise (opposite of
veering)
To run a vessel upon a beach to prevent its sinking in deep
water
A sea room to be kept for safety around a vessel, rock,
platform, etc., or the place assigned to a vessel when
anchored or lying alongside a pier, etc.
A sound signal made with the whistle of the vessel
Areas which cannot be scanned by the radar of the vessel
because they are shielded by parts of its superstructure,
masts, etc.
All gear, such as pilot ladder, accommodation ladder,
hoist, etc., necessary for a safe transfer of the pilot
The speed of a vessel adjusted to that of a pilot boat at
which the pilot can safely embark
A concise explanatory information to crew and passengers
Turning of a vessel upside down while on water
A seamark, i.e., a buoy, including the north, east, south or
west from a fixed point, e.g., a wreck
Case of death or serious injury to a person in an accident

Close coupled towing

Compatibility (of goods)
Convoy
COW
CPA
CSS

Damage control team

Datum
Derelict
Destination
Disabled
Disembark (to)
Distress alert (GMDSS)
Dragging (of anchor)
Dredging (of anchor)
Drifting
Drop back (to)
Embark (to)
Escape route
Escort

or shipping disaster, also said of a distressed vessel

A method of towing vessels through polar ice by means of
icebreaking tugs with a special stern notch suited to
receive and hold the bow of the vessel to be towed
Stated whether different goods can be stowed together,
e.g., through a canal or ice
A group of vessels which sail together, e.g., through a
canal or ice
Crude Oil Washing: a system of cleaning the tanks by
washing them with the cargo of crude oil while it is being
discharged
Closest point of approach
Coordinator Surface Search: a vessel, other than a rescue
unit, designated to coordinate surface search and rescue
operation within a specified area
A group of crew members trained for fighting flooding in
the vessel
The most probable position of a search target at a given
time
Goods or any other commodity, specifically a vessel
abandoned at sea
Port which a vessel is bound for
A vessel damaged or impaired in such a manner as to be
incapable of proceeding its voyage
To go from board a vessel
A radio signal from a distressed vessel automatically
directed to a RCC giving position, identification, course
and speed of the vessel as well as the nature of distress
Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom involuntarily
because it is no longer preventing the movement of the
vessel
Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom to control the
movement of the vessel
Floating, caused by winds and current with a determinable
direction
To increase the distance from the vessel ahead by
reducing ones own speed
To go aboard a vessel
A clearly marked way in the vessel which has to be
followed in case of an emergency
Attending a vessel, to be available in case of need, e.g.,
icebreaker, tug, etc.

ETA
ETD

Estimated Time of Arrival

Estimated Time of Departure

Fairway
Fairway speed
Fire party

Foul (of propeller)

Full speed

Navigable part of a waterway

Mandatory speed in a fairway
A group of crew members trained for firefighting on board
A round through the vessel carried out by a crew member
of the watch at certain intervals so that an outbreak of
fire may be promptly detected; mandatory in vessels
carrying more than 36 passengers
Major flow of seawater into the vessel
A powerful foam fire extinguisher standing by aboard
tankers loading or discharging of oil
Anchor has its own cable twisted around it or has fouled
an obstruction
A line, wire, net, etc., is wound round the propeller
Highest possible speed of a vessel

General emergency
alarm
GMDSS
GPS

A sound signal of seven short blasts and one long blast

given with the vessels sound system
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
Global Positioning System

Fire patrol
Flooding
Foam monitor
Foul (of anchor)

Hampered vessel
Hatchrails
Hoist

IMO-Class
Initial course
Inoperative

A vessel restricted by its ability to manoeuver by the

nature of its work or its deep draft
Ropes supported by stanchions around an open hatch to
prevent persons from falling into a hold
Here: a cable used by helicopters for lifting or lowering
persons in a pick-up operation
Group of dangerous or hazardous goods, harmful
substances of marine pollutants in sea transport as
classified in the International Dangerous Goods Code
(IMDG Code)
Course directed by the OSC or CSS to be steered at the
beginning of a search
Not functioning

Jettison (to) (of cargo)

Throwing overboard of goods in order to lighten the vessel

or improve its stability in case of an emergency

Launch (to)
Leaking

To lower, e.g., lifeboats to the water

Escape of liquids such as water, oil, etc., out of pipes,

Leeway
Let go (to)
Lifeboat station
List
Make over (to)
Maneuvering speed
Mass disease
Moor (to)
Muster (to)
Not under command
(NUC)

boilers, tanks, etc., or a minor inflow of seawater into the

vessel due to a damage to the hull
Lateral movement of the vessel to leeward of its course
To set free, let loose, or cast off (of anchors, lines, etc.)
Place assigned to crew and passengers where they have to
meet before they will be ordered to enter the lifeboats
Inclination of the vessel to portside or starboard side
Seawater to flow into the vessel due to damage to its hull,
or hatches awash and not properly closed
A vessels reduced rate of speed in restricted waters such
as fairways, harbors, etc.
An illness preferably of an infectious nature seizing more
than two persons on board at the same time
To secure a vessel in a particular place by means of chains
or ropes made fast to the shore, to anchors, or to
anchored mooring buoys, or to ride with both anchors
To assemble crew, passengers or both in a special place for
purposes of checking
A vessel which through exceptional circumstances is
unable to maneuver as required by the COLREGs

An object such as a wreck, net, etc., which blocks a

fairway, route, etc.
When the transmissions of a radio station of a Decca
Off air
chain, etc., have broken down, switched off or suspended
Off station (of buoys)
Not at the position charted
Oil clearance
A operation to remove oil from the water surface
Operational
Ready for immediate use
Ordnance exercise
Naval firing practice
On-Scene Commander: The commander of a rescue unit
OSC
designated to coordinate search and rescue operations
within a specified area
Outbound/Inbound vessel A vessel leaving/entering port
Accidental escape of oil out of a tank when it gets too full
Overflow
because pumping was not stopped in time
Obstruction

Polluter
Proceed (to)
PA System

A vessel emitting harmful substances into the air or

spilling oil into the sea
To sail or head to a certain position or to continue the
voyage
Public Address System: loudspeakers in the vessels cabins,
mess rooms, etc., and on deck via which important

information can be broadcast from a certain point, mostly

from the navigation bridge
RCC
Receiving point
Reference line
Refloat (to)
Reporting point
Rendezvous
Rescue team
Restricted area
Retreat signal
Rig move
Roll out

Safe speed
Safety load
Safe working pressure
SAR
Scene
Search pattern
Search speed
Segregation (of goods)
Shifting cargo
Slings

Rescue Coordination Center: land-based authority

conducting and coordinating search and rescue operations
in a designated area
A mark or place in which a vessel comes under obligatory
entry, transit, or escort procedure
A fictive line displayed on the radar screen separating the
freeway for inbound and outbound vessels so that they can
safely pass each other
To pull a vessel off after grounding: to set afloat again
(see Way point)
An appointment between vessels normally made on radio
to meet in certain area or position
A group of crew members standing by in case of an
emergency in order to assist other teams in action if
necessary
A deck, space, area, etc., not permitted to be entered for
safety reasons
Sound, visual or other signal to a team ordering it to
return to base
The movement of an oil rig, drilling platform, etc., from
one position to another
The act of checking who of the passengers and crew
members are present, e.g. at assembly stations, by
reading aloud a list of their names
That speed of a vessel allowing the maximum possible
time for effective action to be taken to avoid a collision
and to be stopped within an appropriate distance
The maximum permissible load of a deck, etc.
The maximum permissible pressure in cargo hoses
Search and Rescue
The area where the event, e.g. an accident, has happened
A pattern according to which vessels and/or aircraft may
conduct a coordinated search (the IMOSAR offers seven
search patterns)
The speed of searching vessels directed by the OSC or CSS
Separation of goods which for different reasons must not
be stowed together
Transverse movement of cargo, especially bulk, caused by
rolling or a heavy list
Ropes, nets, and any other means for handling general

Speed advance
Spill (to)
Spill control gear
Spreader
Stand by (to)
Stand clear (to)
Standing orders
Stand on (to)
Station
Take off (to)
Target
Traffic lane
Transshipment (of cargo)
Transit
Transit speed
Underway
Unlit
UTC

Variable (of winds)

Veering (of winds)
VTS
VTS area
Way point
Windward

cargoes
The speed at which the storm center moves
To accidentally escape, e.g. oil, etc., from a vessel,
container, etc., into the sea
Special equipment for fighting accidental oil spills at early
stages
Here: step of a pilot ladder which prevents the ladder
from twisting
To be in readiness or prepared to execute an order
To keep a boat away from a vessel
Orders of the Master to the officers of the watch which
s/he must comply with
To maintain course and speed
The allotted place or the duties of each person on board
To start with the helicopter from a vessels deck
The echo generated, e.g. by a vessel, on a radar screen
A one-way route which vessels have to comply with within
a traffic separation scheme
Here: the transfer of goods from one vessel to another
outside harbors
The passage of a vessel through a canal, fairway, etc.
Speed of a vessel required for a passage through a canal,
fairway, etc.
A vessel which is not an anchor, or made fast to the shore,
or aground
When the light characteristics of a buoy or a lighthouse
are inoperative
Universal Time Coordinated (GMT)

When a wind is permanently changing the direction from

which it blows
When a wind blows round clockwise; opposite of backing
Vessel Traffic Service: a service, designed to improve
safety, efficiency, and easiness of vessel traffic and to
protect the environment
Area controlled by a VTS Center or VTS Station
A mark or position at which a vessel is required to report
to establish its position
The general direction from which the wind blows;

Wreck

opposite of the leeward

A vessel which has been destroyed or sunk or abandoned
at sea

WEATHER VOCABULARY

POSITION-SHIP